Mr Benn said: “Reading Festival is a big part of the local culture and continues to be such a success thanks to the town’s support.

“Therefore it is a pleasure to donate to Cllr Jones’ charity fund and support some of the brilliant charities in the area.”

Cllr Jones said: “Reading Festival has a strong international reputation and helps put our town on the world map. I am grateful to Mr Benn and Festival Republic for this generous donation to the Mayor’s Charities Fund and look forward to welcoming the many thousands of festival goers to Reading at the end of the month for a safe and successful weekend.”

The mayor’s chosen charities for the year are Home-Start Reading, Help for Heroes and Reading Refugee Support Group.